Radiator-cap condenser



June 1 1926.

A. c. ELLEY RADIATOR CAP CONDENSER Filed March 13, 1925 Patented June 1, 1926.

UNITED STATES ALFRED QELLEY, 0F BELOIT, WISCONSIN.

RADIATOR-CAP CONDENSER.

Application filed March 13, 1925. Serial No. 15,206.

My invention relates to a condenser for use in connection with internal combustion engine radiators, particularly radiators on motor vehicles, and my purpose, generally speaking, is to provide means to conserve the supply of cooling liquid within a radiator by avoiding wastage thereof through evaporation.

My condenser is adapted to be used as a closure for the filling opening of a radiator in lieu of an ordinary radiator cap, and my more specific purpose is to provide a condenser so constructed that when it is applied to a radiator it will be vented to the atmos phere through the usual overflow pipe of the radiator, so that any spray discharged therefrom will not be thrown over the hood and windshield of the vehicle. Also it is my purpose to provide a condenser that is simple in construction, cheap and easy to produce, thoroughly reliable, and efficient in operation, that does not embody any valves or other devices likely'to get out of order or cause the same to function improperly, and that does not require the making or breaking of any separate connections in order to permit it to be applied to or removed from a radiator.

\Vith the foregoing and other purposes in view, my invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the different views:

Figure 1 is a perspective of a condenser constructed in accordance with my invention and shown operatively associated with a radiator;

Figure 2, a central vertical section through the condenser as operatively associated with a radiator; and

Figure 8, a transverse section on the line 33 of'Fig. 2.

Referring .to the drawings in detail, designates a portion of an automobile radiator having a filling opening 12 surrounded by a threaded flange 1a, and also having, as is usual, an overflow pipe 16 terminating at one end within the radiator at said filling opening and leading to the atmosphere whereby steam and other vapors resulting under the influence of gravity.

from heating of liquid within the radiator are conducted therefrom.

My condenser in its preferred embodiment is composed of a plurality of spaced tubes 18 all of which open at their upper ends into a chamber 20 within what may be an ornamental cap member 22, and at their lower ends open through the closed upper end 24 of a ring 26 that is threaded for cooperation with the threads of flange 14, whereby the condenser as an entirety may readily be applied to and removed from the radiator.

One of the tubes 18, specifically tube 28, extends inwardly beyond the inner ends of the other tubes and is there provided with a 4 detachable connection to pipe 16. In the particular case here illustrated, tube 28 has its extreme inner end portion flared as at 30, so as to be readily engageable over the end of overflow pipe 16 during application of the condenser to a radiator, said overflow pipe 16 preferably being equipped with a washer 32 of cork, rubber or other yieldable material adapted to be contacted by the inner end of tube 28 to provide a fluid tight joint between said tube and said pipe when the condenser is screwed into complete threaded engagement with the flange 14. At its outer end said tube 28 preferably extends beyond the adjacent ends of tubes 18 so as to provide a trap within chamber 20 for any condensate of vapors passing from the radiator through tubes 18.

The operation of my condenser is apparent and as follows: Vapors resulting from heating of liquid within the radiator rise through the spaced tubes 18 and are condensed therein due to the cooling effect of the atmosphere surrounding said tubes, the precipitates flowing back through said tubes into the radiator If, however, vapors form more rapidly than they may be condensed pipe 28 because of its connection with overflow pipe 16 provides a vent to the atmosphere preventing the formation of any dangerous pressure within the radiator or the condenser. It is only under extreme and unusual conditions that vapors will form within the radiator faster than they will be condensed within pipes 18, so that under normal conditions my invention will prevent substantially any waste whatever of the liquid within the radiator, this being due to the fact that tube 28 closes communication between the radiator and the overflow pipe except through the tubes of the condenser and consequently no vapors are allowed to escape from the radiator without first having been subjected to a condensing action by being passed through id tubes. This is doubly important beca it not only assures conservation of the liquid supply, but assures also that any vapors that might escape will be carried oli by the overflow pipe and will not issue in the form of spray upon the hood or windshield of the automobile to which the condenser is applied. As is apparent, my condenser does not depend for its successful operation upon valves or other devices that are likely to get out of order or to cause improper ftmctioning ot' the condenser, and furthermore it is unnecessary to make or break any separate connections to apply it to or remove it from a radiator.

I claim:

1. A condenser for automobile radiators including a plurality of vapor conduits,

means at the inner end of one of the conduits for directly connecting the same with the overflow pipe of a radiator whereby comn iunieation between the radiator and said overflow wipe is denied except through said conduit, tlie remainder of said conduits haying their inner ends :11'1L111;((l to open into the radiator, and means itablisluua' communication between the outer ends ot a ll of said conduits.

2. A condenser for ittllUl'l'lOhllt) radiators including a plurality of vapor conduits. means at the inner end oi one of the LOih duits for connectingthe same with the overflow pipe of a radiator, the remainder ot' said conduits having their inner ends ar ranged to open into the radiator, and means establishing connnunication between the outer ends of all of said conduits.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto stabscribed my nature.

ALFRED (l. LILLY/Y. 

